Is it really that bad right now?

[bchbetha]

We just got back from Disney and Royal Pacific and boy was it a downgrade from Riviera. The room was clean but it was tired. The furniture was all shabby and needing replacements. The beds were fine and the bathrooms nice (we had a hospitality suite) but the sound proofing is non-existent. We ended up with a room too close to the 3rd floor elevators and lobby and it was so loud sometimes you couldn't sleep and the endless dings from the elevators was horrible. They also start a generator or pump early in the mornings for the pool and that is loud!
I'll give the dining a thumbs up though. The breakfast at Islands is good and the food at Jake's is great (though no AP discounts...) and I loved the Tuk Tuk market. Those were a real plus.

We won't do another split stay in the near future. It's better for us to extend our trip at Disney an extra day and just drive up to play in the parks. We were really looking forward to it but it wasn't worth the price or the noise.

But that sounds like the problem was room specific. A different room could be totally better.

 

[WIll C]

But that sounds like the problem was room specific. A different room could be totally better.

Perhaps and I'd certainly tell anyone staying there to stay away from the 3rd floor near the elevators (Tower 1 I think). It was nice to not have to trudge down the hall but it was way too loud. Anyone on that side of the tower would get to listen to the generator going starting around 4am next to the pool.

 

[keishashadow]

We just got back from Disney and Royal Pacific and boy was it a downgrade from Riviera. The room was clean but it was tired. The furniture was all shabby and needing replacements. The beds were fine and the bathrooms nice (we had a hospitality suite) but the sound proofing is non-existent

I’ve been a DVC owner for ’ever’ . Originally, drifted over to U for weekends/split stays when DVC changed the point chart allocations years ago. Never looked back, love enjoying the best of both worlds, especially the FOTL perk after negotiating lines at WDW.

Haven’t booked at Riviera as we are in stage of life where we tend to do studios. I’m not a fan of the overall design/theme/studio pull down bed there. To each their own, enjoy!

do think it’s a disservice of sorts to directly compare any ‘new’ property to an older one. However, if Loews does continue to raise the nightly Rack rates on older properties, I’d expect them to up their game; or not, really depends on how future guests will adapt to the sharp increase in rates we are seeing going forward this year.

we’re seeing a lot of pent of travel demand that will should slowly normalize. Don’t like it but, can’t fault their business model of ‘challenging the market’ as to their new rate models.

All hotel rooms do need to receive a hard refresh on a regular basis. within the last year or so, they finished extensive work on overhauling the common areas at RP. Thinking back, it indeed has been some time since they did a drastic revamp of the rooms. Once the covid dust does settle, believe RP is likely on that rotation soon. I assume you did receive the guest satisfaction survey. Do hope you state the points you’ve made here in it.

Will say I’m a fan of the coffee service in the RP dresser aspect there along with the beautiful reflecting pool & other original design elements, not so much the giant flower motif that never grew on me. If you enjoy Riviera, believe Portofino would be more in your wheelhouse as to vibe/decor.

only issues I’ve had with a lack of sound proofing in any of the Loews’ deluxe U properties was, if near elevators or ice makers & the noise element from clueless guests & over excited small children as they tromp thru the hallway. No issues with room noise at SF, CB is another issue all together. found it to be a very loud resort in general, along the lines of the value resorts.

that said, I do think the flagship properties onsite at U can still be termed ‘true deluxe’ resorts. The sort that could stand alone without having an amusement park within walking distance. Nice to have so many lovely choices with such a multitude of both on & off-site resorts in Orlando.

 

[macraven]

Without getting into it, we had a really horrible experience with RPR in September. We don’t blame the TMs at all, as we know a lot of them were new and they were still understaffed, but the lack of cleanliness was a big part of our problem. There were other problems as well, including a huge miscommunication between those who run the hotel and those who book the trips through UOR, and it caused another big issue.
While we love the parks and City Walk, it’s understandably put us off from staying on property for a long time.
and it was a shame as we had a great time at the pool (even with weather closures), the TMs were always helpful, the express pass, and the boat ride is so quick it was amazing.

I was at RP same time you were and had the opposite experience
In fact it was one of my best stays at the hotel

Sorry you had issues and won’t be going back

I have spent a portion of today planning my fall stay at RP
I love having my trip plans set up early

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

I was at RP same time you were and had the opposite experience
In fact it was one of my best stays at the hotel

Sorry you had issues and won’t be going back

I have spent a portion of today planning my fall stay at RP
I love having my trip plans set up early

I’m with you on setting up trips early!
Do enjoy your trip-just because my experience was one thing doesnt mean others were the same!

 

[buckeev]

Stayed at H-Rock for a few days the week before Christmas...No room issues at all. As a matter of fact, no major issues anywhere. Booked another Orlando trip for a "long V-Day weekend" trip. Couldn't get HRH but did get S-Falls for our first stay there!
YMMV!
Good Luck!

 

[buckeev]

I was at RP same time you were and had the opposite experience
In fact it was one of my best stays at the hotel

Sorry you had issues and won’t be going back

I have spent a portion of today planning my fall stay at RP
I love having my trip plans set up early

Hi Red!

 

[Renaissancerocks]

I have been to HRH in Sept 21, DEC 21, AND Jan 22. No issue with cleanliness at all. I feel, given the circumstances, they are doing an excellent job. Do I still take disinfectant wipes and wipe the place down myself…yes…but I did this before the pandemic. I choose not to have housekeeping come into my room during my stay. But, they will bring all the extras I want to my room. The only big problem with HRH right now is that they are doing work on the outside of the building. for some, it may be noisy but I was not overly bothered by it. And the short cut entrance to/from the pool to the walkway is closed. You have to use the Woodstock lawn opening. But, I think that will.change in the near future.

 

[keishashadow]

The only big problem with HRH right now is that they are doing work on the outside of the building. for some, it may be noisy but I was not overly bothered by it.

OT - curious, were you informed via email that there would be construction during your stay?

 

[Renaissancerocks]

OT - curious, were you informed via email that there would be construction during your stay?

no, I do not remember being notified of the work. But, I stayed at HRH in December so I knew it was on going for my January trip. The noise was minimal, they seem to be painting the exterior And doing some minor work. I was asked at check-in if I would mind a room without a view because of construction…but this was because I requested a specific wing that happened to be where the work was happening. I said I didn’t mind being near the construction but would prefer a view and they accommodated me with the area I wanted and with being next to the work. The only real “problem” which wasn’t a big deal was that you could not exit from the pool area to the walkway to the parks. And, anyone that has stayed at HRH knows this saves a few steps from the farther walk from the Woodstock lawn/boat dock area. The pool gate was closed in December and January trip, but that area might be wrapped up soon so I do not think that short cut will be closed much longer, but who knows.

 

[MomOTwins]

I wonder if very recently cases of Covid have left them short staffed at housekeeping--that seems to be a problem everywhere right now.

 

[boogienights]

I guess it all depends on how picky you are. I don't clean my sinks or empty my garbage everyday and don't need that in a hotel room either. As long as the room is cleaned between guests I don't need it cleaned during my stay. I just call if garbage needs to be picked up. Having said that, I don't remember any issues with cleanliness at RPR.